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| Braxton Miller (#5) had another huge game vs. IU 360 total yards, 2 passing TD's & 1 rushing TD. |
Box Score: Buckeyes 52, Hoosiers 49 Final
The Buckeyes, who continue to play some of the worse defense I've ever seen, improved to 7-0 on Saturday night with a 52-49 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers (2-4). With the loss, the Hoosiers dropped their 11th straight & 23rd of 24 Big Ten conference game. The Buckeyes (7-0), relied on another huge night from starting QB Braxton Miller, who again continues to have a number of spectacular plays, as well as, a number of "what are you doing" bonehead plays. The 50+ points in back-to-back Big Ten games was nice, but as a Buckeyes fan, you shouldn't have to sweat out a onside kick to close out the game. The Buckeyes have put up 115 points in the last two games, while allowing 87 points. It would be great to see the Buckeyes continue to put up big numbers on the offensive side, but if they want to run the table and finish this bowl-ban season undefeated, the defense needs to get A LOT BETTER in the final five games. Seven games into the Urban Era, its clear that neither side of the ball looks nothing like the "Tressel Ball" we were accustom to over the past decade.
Offense:
578 total yards, 52 points, the Buckeyes offensive attack continues to run over/past their Big 10 opponents this season. The focal point of the offense continues to be the running game as the Buckeyes racked up 353 yards on the ground, and had a number of big plays vs. the Hoosiers defense, who came in to the game as the worst unit in the Big 10 conference. Braxton, again received some help from starting RB Carlos Hyde, who rushed for 156 yards, caught two passes for 27 yards and scored twice. The Buckeyes also had Rod Smith (40 yards on 6 carries) & Philly Brown (63 total yards, TD) carry the ball, to relieve Miller a little bit. In the air, Devin Smith collected two more receiving touchdowns, for 106 yards, while dropping two more potential touchdown passes, a problem that continues to occur. Despite, Braxton's ill-advised INT and a number of bonehead plays, this unit continues to click while racking up yardage and points in Urban's fast-pace spread attack offense. They will have to continue to do the same with the way the Buckeyes defense has been playing.
Defense:
My thoughts on the defense. After watching the offense put up 115 points the past two games, you shouldn't have to sweat out an onside kick, to end a game. Again, the defense looked terrible giving up the most points in a game since a 63-14 loss to Penn State in a game back in 1994. Wow, up 18 points with 1:40 and it comes down to recovering a onside kick, #smh. The front four, who were suppose to be one of the best in the Big 10 and nation, continue to not be able to pressure the QB and get sacks. The linebacking core has been depleted due to injuries, and even had to have FB Zach Boren fill in at the position. The DB's are worthless, allowing too many big plays in the passing game. The non-tackling or lack of has been a concern all season. With a defense like this, it puts more pressure on the offense to score points and outlast opponents and at THE Ohio State University, this defense is just unacceptable and hard to watch. Where have the "Silver Bullets" gone?
Next Week:
The Buckeyes (7-0) host the Purdue Boilermakers (3-3) on Saturday afternoon (NOON, ABC). The Boilermakers are coming off back-to-back home losses vs. Big Ten opponents Michigan & Wisconsin (outscored 82 to 27). Purdue pulled off the 26-23 overtime victory a season ago vs. the Buckeyes in West Lafayette.
